Outline planning permission was granted last night by Huntingdonshire District Council for an extension to the developer’s site in St Neots.

It will include up to 2,800 new homes, two new primary schools, health facilities and 63,000 sqm of commercial space.

The application was submitted last October under the firm’s bespoke Master Developer licence model.

Nigel Hugill, CEO of Urban&Civic said: “Last night’s decision demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when a Master Developer and a committed Local Authority work positively together.

“The application, including almost 3,000 new homes, was determined within 20 weeks. That must be a record.

“In thirty years of large scale development, I have never known a new strategic application being determined so expeditiously.

“First plot sales will be under the now established Urban&Civic licence model and are well advanced. We are working towards initial occupations within two years of application submission.

“The historic average on major residential projects is almost seven years.”